John Menachery Ph.D
JAITALA, SEPTEMBER 11, 2009: The feast of ‘Velankanni Mata’, Our Lady of Health, was celebrated with religious fervour by Our Lady of Fatima Church, Jaitala, in Nagpur recently.
As a precursor of the feast, the sacred flag of Our Lady of Velankanni was hoisted by the parish priest Rev Fr. Dominic Lisboa sdb, and the parishioners commenced a Novena in honour of Our Lady of Velankanni on August 30, 2009. Thereafter, different groups of parishioners animated the mass and novena for nine consecutive days. The religious festivities climaxed on September 8, 2009, on the day of the Nativity of the Blessed Mary, with a solemn procession in honour of Our Lady of Velankanni in Jaitala village which took place in a devout manner.
Besides the parishioners, many other Christian and non-Christian devotees of O
ur Lady of Velankanni too had assembled in the church on the day of the feast. The Holy mass was concelebrated by the parish priest Fr. Dominic Lisboa sdb and Fr. James Nigrel sdb. During the holy mass, the church choir rendered melodious hymns especially in honour of the Blessed Mary. The celebrations concluded with the lowering of the sacred flag of Our Lady of Velankanni amidst chanting of prayers and the outcry of “Velankanni Mata ki Jai”. The devotees then shared their joy together over dinner agape which was prepared and served by members of the Mahila Mandal of the parish.
JAITALA, SEPTEMBER 11, 2009: The feast of ‘Velankanni Mata’, Our Lady of Health, was celebrated with religious fervour by Our Lady of Fatima Church, Jaitala, in Nagpur recently.
As a precursor of the feast, the sacred flag of Our Lady of Velankanni was hoisted by the parish priest Rev Fr. Dominic Lisboa sdb, and the parishioners commenced a Novena in honour of Our Lady of Velankanni on August 30, 2009. Thereafter, different groups of parishioners animated the mass and novena for nine consecutive days. The religious festivities climaxed on September 8, 2009, on the day of the Nativity of the Blessed Mary, with a solemn procession in honour of Our Lady of Velankanni in Jaitala village which took place in a devout manner.Besides the parishioners, many other Christian and non-Christian devotees of O
ur Lady of Velankanni too had assembled in the church on the day of the feast. The Holy mass was concelebrated by the parish priest Fr. Dominic Lisboa sdb and Fr. James Nigrel sdb. During the holy mass, the church choir rendered melodious hymns especially in honour of the Blessed Mary. The celebrations concluded with the lowering of the sacred flag of Our Lady of Velankanni amidst chanting of prayers and the outcry of “Velankanni Mata ki Jai”. The devotees then shared their joy together over dinner agape which was prepared and served by members of the Mahila Mandal of the parish.